According to a recent report by Calciomercato (translated by Turkish-Football), Arsenal are monitoring Merih Demiral’s situation at Juventus ahead of a potential move during the winter transfer period. The same source has also mentioned that the Gunners would have to cough up at least £34m if they want to acquire the Turkish starlet’s signature in January.
Demiral’s Frustrations At Juventus This Season
Since making a switch from Sassuolo earlier this year, the 21-year-old has struggled to earn enough game time at the Allianz Stadium. He has only managed to make one appearance for the Turin giants this term. Demiral played the full 90 minutes in his team’s 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona back in September. He has also earned ten international caps for the Turkish national side thus far.
The Turkish centre-back has fallen behind the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Leonardo Bonucci and Daniele Rugani in the Juventus pecking order. He has not managed to break into Maurizio Sarri’s first-team even in the absence of the club captain and star defender, Giorgio Chiellini.
Therefore, it is safe to assume that Demiral will be desperate to seal a move away from Turin when the transfer window reopens in January.
What Will The Turkish Rising Star Add To Emery’s Team?
Demiral is a powerful presence inside his own box and tends to win a lot of aerial duels during a game. He has remarkable strength and shows enough aggression to overpower the opposition in the air. The Turkish centre-back is a reliable defender who can also make some vital interceptions for his side.
However, the 21-year-old is quite inexperienced, and one can question whether he has the mentality to put in a consistent run of performances at the highest level.
Do The Gunners Need A Player Like Demiral?
The Gunners need to bring in a tried and tested defender who has proven his value in high-profile matches. Hence, Demiral does not fit that bill as he is yet to make his mark in the Italian top-flight. Unai Emery will be better off opting for other quality defenders if he wants to turn his fortunes around at the Emirates Stadium.
